Report: West Ham make breakthrough on attacking ace Michael Carrick said was ‘excellent’

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West Ham United have reportedly made a breakthrough in their pursuit of Jesse Lingard.

Numerous outlets, including Sky Sports and the Evening Standard, report that the Hammers have agreed a deal to take the Manchester United man on loan.

The Evening Standard claims that West Ham will pay a loan fee of £1.5million and also cover the entire cost of the 28-year-old’s wages of more than £100,000-a-week.

Sky Sports, meanwhile, reports that Lingard is expected to have his medical in Manchester before travelling to London to complete the move.

If the deal is completed and Lingard is registered by midday on Friday, he will be available to make his debut against Liverpool on Sunday, adds the outlet.

The England international has barely featured for his side this season, with just three appearances under his belt – and none in the Premier League or Champions League.

Despite getting a contract extension in recent months, it looks as though Lingard is not part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s long-term plans.

Sky Sports have reported that West Ham have converted Said Benrahma’s loan from Brentford into a permanent deal, freeing up a space for another domestic loan signing.

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Lingard has enjoyed a fruitful career at United over the years, clocking up over 200 competitive appearances for his boyhood club.

However, he very much seems surplus to requirements at Old Trafford and, as such, it’s little surprise that he’s going elsewhere for first-team football.

Lingard has split opinion in recent years, but former Red Devils managers Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have all sung his praises.

And former West Ham ace Michael Carrick previously said of his former Man United teammate: “I think his movement is excellent.

“It’s something that sounds quite simple, but it’s difficult to defend against.

“He senses where the space is and how to use it. I wouldn’t necessarily say he’s a dribbler with skills and tricks but he’s dynamic.

“How he plays, he is unique in some ways. You don’t see so much of that now as everyone wants to get on the ball. Off the ball, he’s very effective.”